First year in nursing really that hard???

RNperdiem, RN · Jan 3, 2009

Nursing school teaches you a lot of theory and gives you a little practice.

Even in clinical, there is a nursing instructor to turn to, so you never get the feeling of complete responsibility for a patient.

Compare it to a swim class where you learned the various swim strokes and swimming technique from a manual and spent a little time in the shallow end practicing hand positions and kicking while holding on to the wall- that is nursing school. Nursing practice takes you into the deep end of the pool with a little assistance at first and then you are on your own. Better learn fast before you sink.

Much of nursing is learned on the job.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 3, 2009

I agree that most of nursing is learned on the job but that said I think the unit where you start can make a huge difference in the new nurses' comfort level. For me by 6 months I felt very confident, not that I won't continue learning and honing my skills, just that I was feeling pretty good by that time.

One of the big things, imo, is that unless you live in an area where jobs are scarce I'd suggest being very particular about your unit. Do a share day or two to get a feel for the atmosphere and make sure it is a good fit for you. If it feels off don't accept the postion. It could be a bit of luck also but I love my unit and my job.

Quilter0225 · Jan 3, 2009

I think the swimming analogy is a good one. One thing that is difficult for me is keeping track of all the information. You have medical history, diagnosis, assessment data, medications, general nursing tasks (hourly checks, etc.) on five patients. That is just the background. You are constantly adding new information as the shift progresses. Meanwhile, because I am new, I really have to think to synthesize all that into "the big picture." Add to that the fact that every task takes twice as long for a new nurse due to inexperience, and it's not automatic as it would be for an experienced nurse. Once again, I have to think about what I'm doing. I end up with information overload.

Another analogy: learning to drive a stick shift. Hands and feet are doing four separate tasks simultaneously. At first it is next to impossible. Now that I am an experienced driver, I actually prefer a stick shift because it gives me more control over the car than an automatic transmission.

I read on another post that nursing school doesn't teach you to be a nurse, it teaches you how to learn to be a nurse. I think that is pretty accurate. I hope you don't get scared off. It's hard, but it's worth it!

NeoNurseTX, RN · Jan 4, 2009

It's a lot of stuff you can't learn in nursing school that makes it hard. When do you wake up the doc? Who is who...if you're at a teaching facility, residents rotate through all the time and that's even more faces/names to forget! What's the protocol for this? What all paperwork needs to be filled out before my pt goes to this procedure? What line can I run this drug though? Oh my gosh, her daughter is asking me about this, i have NO clue! What can I say to not sound incompetent? What tube does this lab need to go in? Where is x supply? What materials do I need to do this procedure?

Mannnny questions like that will come to you and it just takes doing it to learn it...looking it up, asking others, etc.

NICURN04 · Jan 4, 2009

Ditto to what everyone has wrote. First year nursing is hard, yes...but do-able. I started out in NICU and its a completely different world, and all the NICU nurses can agree. No matter where you start out, it will be hard, frustrating and at times, you will feel very incompetent, but if ask questions, and ask for help, then the outcome will be so much better both for the patients and you. I just made it to my first year of nursing and yes, there are times where I just wanted to clock out and never come back, because I had no clue where things were, what I needed for this and that procedure, who I needed to call at 2 in the morning to get an order for this and that. It takes time and patience because you will learn something new every single day.

NeoNurseTX, RN · Jan 4, 2009

I know with NICU it's not only being lost in a new environment, but it's pathophys you don't really learn about in school either!

NICURN04 · Jan 4, 2009

Tell me about it!

Baby*Pink · Jan 4, 2009

Oh no! I start a new grad program in the NICU this week.. I was a little nervous about it but felt I would be just fine... now I'm scared out of my mind! :eek:

NeoNurseTX, RN · Jan 5, 2009

Oh no! I start a new grad program in the NICU this week.. I was a little nervous about it but felt I would be just fine... now I'm scared out of my mind!

don't be scared! it's just a lot of new patho that adults don't get.

lisacsu84 · Jan 5, 2009

I have been on my own now for 3 months and they have been incredibly challenging, but I think as far as your experience goes depends on where you work and how helpful your co workers are. I work with a wonderful group of people and I never feel like I don't have someone I can go to for help. The charge nurses on my shift go out of there way to make sure we new grads are not sinking. I did not expect that especially after reading things on here. But my experience in my first year has been incredibly positive. But don't get me wrong it has not been easy at all and I have cried a few times, but due to the support I have from my coworkers I am able to get through the really rough days. I wish you all the best of luck in your nursing school. Also when you start looking for a job really research where you are working and in your clinicals see how the nurses treat the students it says a lot about how they treat their coworkers. IF you have any other questions feel free to ask. Good Luck!!!

R.NICU · Jan 6, 2009

Thanx to everyone who replied! I appreciate all of your words. I'm not scared of the first year ... just wanted a little insight and it was pretty much what i figured. You learn theory, and yeah do skills lab, and even clinicals...but there is still so much you have to learn on the job and out on your own. It sounds pretty intense but there are over a million before me who have done it and succeeded some i'm sure i can! Thanx again everybody!